It’s finally here—the World Cup has begun. This Thursday, June 11, 2026, the expanded 48-nation World Cup kicks off with the first day of the group stage, and Mexico has the honor of hosting the opening match. This must-see match features a name and a setting steeped in history: Mexico vs. South Africa at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, the venue for the 1970 and 1986 finals. For the host nation, the stakes are twofold: to make a strong start in Group A and to erase the memory of their first-round elimination in 2022. Opposite them, the Bafana Bafana are returning to a World Cup finals they haven’t played in since 2010, the edition they hosted on home soil.
The irony is delightful: these two teams had already faced off in the opening match of that South African World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Later that night, the second match completes the Group A lineup with South Korea vs. the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, a clash of underdogs where each team will want to get off to a strong start before facing the group’s heavyweights. For French fans, a little patience is required: Les Bleus don’t take the field until June 16, against Senegal. In the meantime, this opening night sets the tone for a tournament that will run until July 19—the longest and most packed in history.
The World Cup schedule for Thursday, June 11, 2026
- 9:00 p.m. — Mexico vs. South Africa. Round: Matchday 1 of the group stage (Group A). TV: M6 and beIN Sports 1. Stadium: Azteca Stadium, Mexico City.
- 4:00 a.m. (Thursday night into Friday) — South Korea vs. Czech Republic. Round: Matchday 1 of the group stage (Group A). TV: beIN Sports 1. Stadium: Estadio Akron
29 August 2026 17:00 + more dates
3 September 2026 19:00
